Wake convergence device for a pick-up truck

ABSTRACT

A wake convergence device for a pick-up truck is provided. The wake convergence device is spaced from the top of a pick-up truck and from the sides of the pick-up truck. The wake convergence device is moveably coupled to an aft end of the cab of the pick-up truck. When the truck is not in motion, the wake convergence device is positioned around the aft end of the pick-up truck. When the truck is in motion, the wake convergence device is moved upward and raised from the cab of the pick-up truck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of and claimspriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/666,533, filed Mar. 24,2015, which is a non-provisional of and claimed priority to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/969,519, filed Mar. 24, 2014 and having thetitle “WAKE CONVERGENCE DEVICE FOR A PICK-UP TRUCK,” each of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments herein generally relate to aerodynamics for vehiclesand, more particularly, to a wake convergence device for a pick-uptruck.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Over the years, the cost of rising fuel has become more and more of aconcern. However, with the increase of fuel costs to over $100 perbarrel of oil, the concern over fuel costs has never been greater. Thesignificant rise in fuel costs coupled with the federal government'sstrategy of becoming less dependent on foreign oil has led to theautomotive industry designing pick-up trucks for better fuel efficiency.A significant way of improving fuel economy on any vehicle is throughimproving the vehicle's aerodynamic efficiencies (mainly throughaerodynamic drag reduction).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, a wake convergence device for a pick-up truck isprovided. The wake convergence device is spaced from the top of apick-up truck and from the sides of the pick-up truck. The wakeconvergence device is moveably coupled to an aft end of the cab of thepick-up truck. When the truck is not in motion, the wake convergencedevice is positioned around the aft end of the pick-up truck. When thetruck is in motion, the wake convergence device is moved upward andraised from the cab of the pick-up truck.

In one embodiment, a wake convergence device for a pick-up truck isprovided. The wake convergence device includes a top panel spaced from atop of a cab of a pick-up truck. At least one side panel is spaced froma side of the cab. The wake convergence device is moveable between astowed position and a deployed position. The top panel is spaced a firstdistance from the cab and the at least one side panel is spaced a seconddistance from the cab in the stowed position. The top panel is spaced athird distance from the cab and the at least one side panel is spaced afourth distance from the cab in the deployed position.

In a further embodiment of the above, the third distance is greater thanthe first distance.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the fourth distance isgreater than the second distance.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the wake convergence deviceis positioned at an aft end of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, when in the deployedposition, at least a portion of the wake convergence device ispositioned aft of an aft end of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the top panel includes aleading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge rotates at least oneof up or down with respect to the top of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the top panel includes aleading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge rotates at least oneof up or down with respect to the top of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one side panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge rotates atleast one of in or out with respect to the side of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one side panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge rotatesat least one of in or out with respect to the side of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the wake convergence devicemoves to the deployed position when the pick-up truck reaches apre-determined speed.

In one embodiment, a wake convergence device for a pick-up truck isprovided. The wake convergence device includes at least one panel spacedfrom a cab of a pick-up truck. An actuating device couples the at leastone panel to the cab. The actuating device moves the at least one panelbetween a stowed position and a deployed position. The at least onepanel is spaced a first distance from the cab in the stowed position.The at least one panel is spaced a second distance from the cab in thedeployed position.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the second distance isgreater than the first distance.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one panel ispositioned at an aft end of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, when in the deployedposition, at least a portion of the at least one panel is positioned aftof an aft end of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge rotates atleast one of up or down with respect to the top of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge rotatesat least one of up or down with respect to the top of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge rotates atleast one of in or out with respect to the side of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge rotatesat least one of in or out with respect to the side of the cab.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one panelmoves to the deployed position when the pick-up truck reaches apre-determined speed.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one panel iscapable of breaking away from the actuating device.

Other embodiments are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The embodiments described herein and other features, advantages anddisclosures contained herein, and the manner of attaining them, willbecome apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood byreference to the following description of various exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a pick-up truck having awake convergence device positioned thereon.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of a pick-up truck having awake convergence device positioned thereon.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of a pick-up truck having awake convergence device positioned thereon.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a pick-up truck having a wakeconvergence device positioned in a stowed position.

FIG. 4B illustrates an expanded side view of a pick-up truck having awake convergence device positioned in a stowed position.

FIG. 4C illustrates a rear view of a pick-up truck having a wakeconvergence device positioned in a stowed position.

FIG. 4D illustrates an expanded rear view of a pick-up truck having awake convergence device positioned in a stowed position.

FIG. 5A illustrates a rear view of a pick-up truck having a wakeconvergence device positioned in a deployed position.

FIG. 5B illustrates an expanded rear view of a pick-up truck having awake convergence device positioned in a deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a wake convergence device 100 is providedin accordance with an embodiment. The wake convergence device 100 isconfigured to be attached to the back end 102 of a pick-up truck cab104, wherein the pick-up truck 105 includes a centerline 106 thatbisects the front axle axis 108 and rear axle axis 110 of the pick-uptruck 105 and lies within a vertical plane 112 and horizontal plane 114.The wake convergence device 100 1) directs streamline flow to the rear107 of the pick-up truck 105 increasing the pressure in the low pressurewake behind the pick-up truck 105; 2) straightens the flow curvature onthe sides 109 and top 111 of the pick-up truck 105 to reduce flow mixingand thereby reduce overall vehicle turbulence shedding; 3) reducescorner vortex shedding strength at the corners 116 of the pick-up truckcab's trailing edge 118; 4) reduces vehicle trailing edge spray; 5)reduces overall vehicle buffeting; and 6) reduces mechanical drag.

The wake convergence device 100 includes a top panel 120 and two sidepanels 122 (although the panels may be formed in multiple discretesections or formed as a unitary structure). The top panel 120 includes aleading edge 124 (facing the front 113 of the pick-up truck 105) and atrailing edge 126 (facing the back 107 of the pick-up truck 105). In atleast one embodiment, the top panel 120 measures approximately 2 to 6inches from the leading edge 124 to the trailing edge 126. The top panel120 has a length of approximately 56-64 inches from a first end 128 to asecond end 130. The top panel 120 may be planar or have a roundedcross-section. The top panel 120 angles toward the horizontal plane 114of the pick-up truck 105 from the leading edge 124 to the trailing edge126 at an angle of approximately 11° to 15°. The side panels 122 includea leading edge 132 (facing the front 113 of the pick-up truck 105) and atrailing edge 134 (facing the back 115 of the pick-up truck 105). In atleast one embodiment, the side panels 122 measure approximately 2 to 6inches from the leading edge 132 to the trailing edge 134. The sidepanels 122 extend substantially from the top panel 120 to a top 119 ofthe pick-up truck bed 121 in some embodiments. The side panels 120 maybe planar or have a rounded cross-section. The side panels 120 angletoward the vertical plane 112 of the pick-up truck 105 from the leadingedge 132 to the trailing edge 134 at an angle of approximately 11° to15°. The top panel 120 and side panels 122 may be joined to the cab 104of the pick-up truck 105 with a moveable bracket 140 that enables thewake convergence device 100 to move from a stowed position 150, shown inFIGS. 4A-4D to a deployed position 152, shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Insome embodiments, the wake convergence device 100 is moved manually bymeans of a lever accessible from inside the cab 104. In otherembodiments, the wake convergence device 100 is moved by an appropriatemotorized linkage. In the deployed position 150, the wake convergencedevice 100 is spaced from the top 142 of a pick-up truck cab 104 andfrom the sides 144 of the pick-up truck cab 104 by the moveable brackets140. In one embodiment, the wake convergence device 100 is spacedapproximately 1-3 inches from the pick-up truck cab 104.

In a stowed position 150, the wake convergence device 100 is stowed overthe aft end 146 of the cab 104 of the pick-up truck 105. The cab 104 ofthe pickup truck 105 may have a recess into which the wake convergencedevice 100 is stowed in some embodiments. To improve the aerodynamics ofthe pick-up truck 105 when the pick-up truck 105 is moving, the wakeconvergence device 100 may be moved outward on the moveable brackets 140to the deployed position 152. In the deployed positioned 152 the wakeconvergence 100 is raised from the cab 104 of the pick-up truck 105. Insome embodiments, the wake convergence device 100 may be automaticallymoved outward on the moveable brackets 140 to the deployed position 152,such as under the control of an appropriate controller that determinesfrom a speed sensor that the pick-up truck 105 is moving, whereby thecontroller actuates the motorized linkage of the moveable brackets 140to move the wake convergence device 100 to the deployed position 152.

In at least one embodiment, the wake convergence device 100 also slidestoward an aft end 107 of the pick-up truck 105 when moved to thedeployed position 152. In such an embodiment, in the deployed position152, at least a portion of the wake convergence device 100 is positionedaft of the cab 104 of the pick-up truck 105. In at least one embodiment,the entire wake convergence device 100 is positioned aft of the cab 104of the pick-up truck 105. In at least one embodiment, only the trailingedges 126 and 134 of the wake convergence device 100 are positioned aftof the cab 104 of the pick-up truck 105 and the leading edges 124 and132 of the wake convergence device 100 are positioned over and to thesides of the aft end 146 of the cab 104 of the pick-up truck 105.

In at least one embodiment, the wake convergence device 100 is moved tothe deployed position 152 when the pick-up truck 105 reaches apre-determined speed. In at least one embodiment, the wake convergencedevice 100 is moved through intermediate positions as the pick-up truck105 increases speed. For example, at a first speed, the wake convergencedevice 100 may be moved into a first deployed position; and, at a secondspeed, the wake convergence device 100 may be moved into a seconddeployed position. In at least one embodiment, the top panel 120 and theside panels 122 of the wake convergence device 100 are separate panels.In such an embodiment, each panel 120 and 122 may be moved to adifferent deployed position 152. The deployed position 152 of the wakeconvergence device 100 as a whole or each separate panel 120 and 122 ofthe wake convergence device 100 may depend on the speed of the pick-up105, the speed of the wind, the direction of the wind, or other factors.

In at least one embodiment, the top panel 120 of the wake convergencedevice 100 may also be configured to rotate toward or away from thehorizontal plane 114 of the pick-up truck 105. For example, an angle ofthe top panel 120 of the wake convergence device 100 with respect to thehorizontal plane 114 of the pick-up truck 105 may be altered as thepick-up truck 105 reaches a pre-determined speed or gradually as thepick-up truck 105 increases speed. In at least one embodiment, theleading edge 124 of the top panel 120 may rotate up or down with respectto the top of the pick-up truck 105. In at least one embodiment, thetrailing edge 126 of the top panel 120 may rotate up or down withrespect to the top 111 of the pick-up truck 105.

In at least one embodiment, the side panels 122 of the wake convergencedevice 100 may also be configured to rotate toward or away from thevertical plane 112 of the pick-up truck 105. For example, an angle ofeach side panel 122 of the wake convergence device 100 with respect tothe vertical plane 112 of the pick-up truck 105 may be altered as thepick-up truck 105 reaches a pre-determined speed or gradually as thepick-up truck 105 increases speed. In at least one embodiment, theleading edge 132 of each side panel 122 may rotate in or out withrespect to the side of the pick-up truck 105. In at least oneembodiment, the trailing edge 134 of the side panel 122 may rotate in orout with respect to the side 109 of the pick-up truck 105.

The height of the top panel 120 may be adjustable by utilizing differentsize moveable brackets 140. The distance of the side panels 122 from theside 109 of the pick-up truck 105 may also be adjustable by utilizingdifferent size moveable brackets 140. Additionally, a “break-away”feature in the mounting of the panels 120 and 122 may be added to allowfor the reduction of damage in case of collision with foreign objectssuch as tree branches etc. The break-away feature may include afrangible portion within the moveable brackets 140. When a panel 102 or122 is subjected to force, the frangible portion breaks so that thepanel 120 or 122 breaks away from the pick-up truck 105.

While the embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail inthe drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly certain embodiments have been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the embodimentsare desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wake convergence device for a pick-up truckincluding a cab, the wake convergence device comprising: a top panelconstructed and arranged to be spaced from a top of the cab of thepick-up truck when installed thereon; and at least one side panelconstructed and arranged to be spaced from a side of the cab wheninstalled thereon, wherein the wake convergence device is moveablebetween a stowed position and a deployed position, the top panel beingspaced a first distance from the cab and the at least one side panelbeing spaced a second distance from the cab in the stowed position, andthe top panel being spaced a third distance from the cab and the atleast one side panel being spaced a fourth distance from the cab in thedeployed position.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the third distanceis greater than the first distance.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe fourth distance is greater than the second distance.
 4. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the wake convergence device is positioned at an aftend of the cab.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein, in the deployedposition, at least a portion of the wake convergence device ispositioned aft of an aft end of the cab.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the top panel includes a leading edge and a trailing edge,wherein the leading edge rotates at least one of up or down with respectto the top of the cab.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the top panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edgerotates at least one of up or down with respect to the top of the cab.8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one side panel includes aleading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edge rotates atleast one of in or out with respect to the side of the cab.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one side panel includes aleading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge rotates atleast one of in or out with respect to the side of the cab.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the wake convergence device moves to thedeployed position when the pick-up truck reaches a pre-determined speed.11. A wake convergence device for a pick-up truck including a cabcomprising: at least one panel spaced from the cab of the pick-up truck;and an actuating device coupling the at least one panel to the cab, theactuating device moving the at least one panel between a stowed positionand a deployed position, the at least one panel configured and arrangedto be spaced a first distance from the cab in the stowed position, andthe at least one panel configured and arranged to be spaced a seconddistance from the cab in the deployed position.
 12. The device of claim1, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. 13.The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel is positioned atan aft end of the cab.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein, in thedeployed position, at least a portion of the at least one panel ispositioned aft of an aft end of the cab.
 15. The device of claim 1,wherein the at least one panel includes a leading edge and a trailingedge, wherein the leading edge rotates at least one of up or down withrespect to a top of the cab.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one panel includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein thetrailing edge rotates at least one of up or down with respect to a topof the cab.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one panelincludes a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edgerotates at least one of in or out with respect to a side of the cab. 18.The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel includes a leadingedge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge rotates at least oneof in or out with respect to a side of the cab.
 19. The device of claim1, wherein the at least one panel moves to the deployed position whenthe pick-up truck reaches a pre-determined speed.
 20. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one panel is capable of breaking away fromthe actuating device.